Hi Guys,
I presently live in the United Arab Emirates and am immigrating to Canada soon... possibly Toronto. Is it easy to get a driving licence based on my UAE driving licence?. How long does it take to get a driving licence in Toronto?
bye guys.
Canada recognises only two countries for providing a local driving licence against that countriy's licence - they are USA (obviously) and Japan. All the rest do not have automatic reciprocity. However, that licence can only help you to start at second level instead of first.
Canadian Driving Licence (or atleast Ontario) is a four step procedure. The first is a written test (either paper pencil or on computer - whichever you choose). This is same for beginners or people holding licence of another country. This is called G1 licence. Next, if you have written proof - or actual licence which has been valid for a minimum of two years, you can appear for your road test immediately - however if you do not have that minimum two years experience, you have to wait atlest 8 months to appear for the road test. Passing of that road test gives you G2 licence which has some restrictions (especially relating to alcahol, no of passengers etc.) Then within 5 years after the G2 test, you should clear your Highway Road test or else start all over again. Once you pass this, you get a G licence, which is your permanent licence (I think till the age of 65 or so.....but I do not remember the rule offhand!)
What takes time is to book a date for the road test. As is the situation now, some of the centres in Toronto Area have a waiting period of about 4 months. However, a thing which I came to know very late and would not want you to go thru the same is - driving instructors can arrange these dates much earlier either without payment or with a charge (unofficial) of about C$50!
Hope this answers your query!
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Chandresh
Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!
Thanks a lot Chandresh. You have been very helpful as well as informative. 
Chandresh,
Quote:
Canada recognises only two countries for providing a local driving licence against that countriy's licence - they are USA (obviously) and Japan.
Apart from USA and Japan, licenses from Korea, Austria, Germany and Switzerland are accepted in Canada.
Quote:
Passing of that road test gives you G2 licence
If you have minimum 2 years driving experience, you can directly go for G instead of G2. But if you fail the G road test in your first attempt, you cannot repeat it but have to go for G2.
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Shibu
Thanks for the enlightenment, Shibu.
Either the rules have changed in last three years - or I was misinformed! I have checked the MOT site and find that you are correct!
BTW, your location is still Kuwait or you are in Canada now???
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Chandresh
Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!
Chandresh,
I am a Canadian PR but at the moment live in Kuwait.
Talking about Driving License, there is another way of getting an early test date, in case not everyone is aware of it. Some test centers allow candidates who have not scheduled the road test on any particular day to wait for cancellations. If and when such cancellations arise, these people on the waiting line are allowed to take the test. It works on first come first served basis and one should be prepared to go very early to the test center and try his luck. People who are desperate to get the license can use this facility. Not all test centers allow this- the test center in Brampton discontinued this facility in August of this year. And sadly, it happened in the week I was planning to take a chance for G license- immediately after I got my G1 
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Shibu
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posted on: 13-11-03 10:40:34
As per my information, there are some desi driving instructors, who can get a date in the week of your convenience. But it may be anywhere outside GTA. There is some fee for this service along with the fees for hourly lessons.
You may explore such resources.
